Weld testing fixture



Oct. 13, 1959 T. W.'KALBOW WELD'TES'IING FIXTURE INVENTOR- T Z-W/(ALBOW AM Filed Dec. 51, 1956 Arrow/5r United States Patent O WELD TESTING FIXTURE This'invention relates to weld testing devices and more particularly to devices for testing spot welds of two concentric elements of a telephone receiver component.

In testing the mechanical strength of welds it has been a prior practice to hold one of a pair of members welded together and apply a force of shearing magnitude to the other, attempting at the same time to measure that force. Inasmuch as the force may be'applied unevenly, or difliculty may be encountered in measuring the force applied to break the weld, this method has not always been satisfactory. Withthis fact in mind, one of the objects of this invention is to provide a weld testing device wherein a small, easily measured force is multiplied by a torque transmitting train of members and applied to move a clamp holding one of a pair of elements which are welded together relative to a second clamp-holding the other welded element.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for testing welds between two concentric elements.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a weld testing'device having a fixed clamp for holding an inside element of two concentric elements welded together, and a movable clamp for holding an outside element, together with force multiplication means for moving the second clamp relative to the first to sever the welded joint.

One embodiment of the invention for testing welds 1 2,968,162 ,7 Patented Oct. 13, 1959 an inner tubular element 25 that is concentric with the outertubular element 24. The inner element 25 is provided with a flange 28 that extends radially outward from one end of the element 25 and which has an outside diameter greater than the diameter of the outer element 24. The outer element 24 is provided with a flange 29 which extends radially inward from one end-of the element 24 and is spot welded at several points to the flange 28 of the element 25. I t is these welded joints that the present invention is designed to test. The clamp 17 is also provided with portions 30 and 31 and a plurality of slots 33 (Fig. 1) extending radially from the central aperture 19 and terminating in holes 35 in'the clamp 17 to render it flexible enough that the walls of the couuterbored portion of the aperture 19will grip and hold the outer element 24 when the portions 30 and 31 are forced together.

A bar 36 positioned on the portions 31) and 31 is provided with projections 39 and 40 which depend therefrom on opposite sides of the portions 30 and 31. A set screw 43 threaded through the projection 41) and engaging the portion 31 is provided for forcing the portions 30 and 31 together to cause the clamp 17 to grip and hold the outer element 24. A bifurcated, fixed clamp 45 rests on the movable clamp 17 and is provided with portions 46 and 47 and an opening 48 concentric with the counterbored portion of the aperture 19 in the clamp 17, the walls of the aperture 48 engaging the flange 28' of the inner element 25. A plurality of slots 50 extend radially outward from the opening 48 and terminate in holes 52 to render the clamp 45 flexible enough that the walls of the opening 48 grip and hold'the flange 28 of the element 25 when the portions 59 threaded through the depending projection 56 and may include a fixed clamp for holding the inside element of two concentric elements which are Welded together and-a movable clamp for holding the outside element. Torque, applied with a conventional torque wrench, is transmitted through a train of members to the movable clamp for rotating the outside element relative to the inside element to break the weld therebetween. The amount of force required to break the weld can be computed by applying the mechanical advantage gained by the train of members to a reading taken directly from the torque wrench.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which:

' Fig. 1 is a plan view of the device showing the configurations of the clamps and the members in the torque transmitting train comprising an embodiment of the present invention, and

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1 showing the cross-sectionalconfiguration of the two elements which are welded together and the components of the weld testing device.

, Referring now in detail to the drawing, a base 11 is shown supporting a pair of spaced vertical side walls 12 and 13 upon which is secured a horizontal plate 16. A bifurcated, movable clamp 17 rests on the plate 16 and is provided with a central aperture 19 having a counterbored portion for receiving a tubular outer element 24 of a telephone receiver component which is made up of engaging the portion 46 is provided for forcing the por tions 46 and 47 together to cause-the clamp 45 to grip and hold the flange 28 of the element 25. A first shaft 60 rotatably mounted in the base 11 and the plate 16 extends through a hole 61 in the clamp 45 to prevent movement thereof. Relative rotative movement between the clamps 17 and 45 is limited by stop surfaces 64 and 65 (Fig.1) on the depending projections 46 and sarcspectively, the stop 64 engaging the stop 65 when the clamp '17 is rotated counterclockwise (Fig. 1) slightly.

- second shaft 71) having a socket 71 for receiving a 'blf 74 of a torque wrench 78 of a well-known type is rotatably mounted in the base 11 and the plate 16. A

gear 72 secured to the second shaft by a key 73 meshes with a toothed member 75 secured by a key 76 to a third shaft 77, which is rotatably mounted on the base 11 and the plate 16. A first plate 80, secured by a key 81 to the first shaft 60, is provided with a projection 84 which is positioned in a recess 87 (Fig. 1) formed in the untoothed sectional member 75 whereby rotation of the member 75 causes the first plate and the first shaft from the train of gears and plates to the movable clamp 17. Bearing surfaces and 107 on the lug 98 engage bearing surfaces 104 and 105, respectively, on the clamp In operation of the device to test the strength of the 17 to transmit torque from the fourth shaft 96 to the clamp 17 without causing it to loosen its grip on the outer element 24.

spot welds holding the outer and inner elements ZA and 25 together, the elements are positioned in the device with the outer element 24 engaging the walls of the i i m ti @fst werratum end with h fla 1 th vi nerwd x easa i-n rthew jo the p n 4 i the n dam 5- hesst scre 43 is tightened to cause: .the,clamp; 17 ;-to igr i andhold the outer element 24, and the set screw 59 is tightened to cause the fixed clamp 45 to grip and held theflange 28 onthe inner element-25. g j

vThe bit-74 0f the -torquewrench 7 8; of -a well-known type: is inserted ,into the socket 11 m the second shaft 7r0,-and manually rotated clockwiset-Eig. 1;) until .the spot welds between the :inner and outeri elementsll and 25 break, the amount I of torque; applied to the gseeond shaft 70- being read directly -from' the torque wrench. Th d m 1 1 e g mQ [until th steplsur face 64'engagesthe stop-sunface65. ,Iheactua'l amount of :torqueapplied to the outer element a-24 to vbreak the Spot welds can be computed by.determining; the mechanical advantage gained by use of the train .Of gears and plates and applying it .to the value read tromthetorque wrench.

=-The separated elements;24 and 25 @are then removed from ,the device and another component is inserted therein and tested as describediabove.

It is to be understoodlthat the aboveedescribfed. an

7 together ,andjalso having a slot intersecting/saidopening V rangements are simply iil-ustrative of the-application of the principlesof this invention. Numerous'rother arrangements may be readily devisedbythose, skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope'thereof.

"What is claimed is:

1. A weld testing device, comprisingaibase, a'fixed clamp mounted on the base 'and having acounteibc'rred opening for receiving and holdinga flange :of one ,ofla plurality of articles welded together, a movable clamp mounted on the base and having a cylindricallcounterbored section extending into the counterbore iri-the fixed clamp for receivingand holding another of 'said'iplurality of articles, means for transmitting vtorquejt-c'r said movable clamp to break the weldbetweenthe articles,

and means mounted on the clamps for.;limiting relative movement therebetween. a V 2. A device for testing welds, comprisinga. base,.a fixedflexibleklampmounted on the base-and vhaving a counterbored opening for receiving one. of 'a 'pair 'of articles welded together, means for flexing saidffixed clamp to gripand hold said onelarticle positionedin' the opening, a flexible clamp ,movably mountedon the base and having an apertured .cylindricahportion 'extend ing-into the counterbore in, the-fixed lclamp forzreceiving t e other of said pair of articles, means for -flexing. said movable'clamp to grip and hold said other article posi tioned in said'apertured portion, andimeansionrtheb ase for actuating-the movable-clampsto .br'eakla weld"be-' tween said one article. andsaidoth'erarticle.- V

3. A device for testin'gwelds, comprising base, aifixe'd flexible clamp mountedonlthe baseandihavi ng :ani'open ing for receiving'one of a plurality ofarticl'es which are welded together, means on thelixed clamp for=flexing said clamp to grip and hold the 'articlepositioned in the opening, 'a flexible .clamp movably' mounted on the base and having an aperturewith a counterbored' portion for receiving anotherof said plurality of articles,

said aperture having a pair of surfaces inaplane diametrical to-the counterbored portion, means on the moy-. able clamp for flexing said movable clamp to. grip and hold the article positioned in the aperture,;a'nd ja -pllirality of members movably mounted on ,the',base,land

oonnectedrin atrain to the movable clampffor, tra ns-.

mitting torque thereto to break a weld betweensaidlone article, the last member in said train aipaii'lof surfaces for engaging the surfaces" in said aperture in the m b lean f lsnl iim jifiiiflll jlle fiw.WithQn distortingsaid clamp and said another article.

4. A device for testing welds, comprising a base, a flexible'fixed clamp mounted on the base and having an opening for receiving and clamping a circular flange of one of a pair ofarticles which are welded together, means on the fixed clamp-for "flexing said clamp to grip and hold saidone article, a fiexihle,plampmovably mounted on' the base in engagement w'th thefixedclamp and having'an up'per forgon and ing the circular flange until the andalso having an aperture intersecting face for receiving a:c;yli=ndrical..portionvofithe-otheignvticle of said pair of articlea means mounted on the movable clamp for flexing 's'aidclamp to grip and hold said cylindrical portion of the other article, means on both said flexing means for limiting movement of the movable clamp relative J-to the I fixed clamp, .ra shaft mtatably mounted on: i the base ;and conueete'd .ito the movable clamp, a plurality ofzother shafts rotatably .;,mounted.ann

term ,a torque transmitting :train.

tweld testing-jdevi'ce, zcomprising a basegai'fimd etamp mounted on; the base' and :havingan :openingsfor receiving one of ;a- ,plurality ;of articles which are .twe lded for rendering the clamp flexible ;=to grip. :andghoid'; said one ,garticl'e ,positioned in said ,opening, ;a.ifirst :,:element mounted on Zthefixed clampzfor applying; a .forc'eithereto to close the slot therein whereby ;;the' ylarticle in zs'aidiopena ing is gripped and held, a'clamp 1 movablyimountedton I Y the base and having .an aperture a-with a v countegbored portion for receiving another of said pluralityof; articles and also having a slot intersecting-thewapefturezto. tender the clamp flexible 1 to; grip "and, hold .said anothertarticle' positioned injsaid counterbored portion, .;said aperture havingja pairot surfacesinaplane extendingdiameh'i clamps when the weldbreaks. V

cally acrosssaidfiountenbored portion, a:,s'eoond;eie+ ment mounted on the -;movable clamp.:or. applyinglea force theretoto closejthe slot thereingwherebysaidnanother article in the -aper-ture Jgnippedjandsheld, a @shgfl 1 mounted on the base and extending into theiaperturein themovable'clamp, Said shacftlhaving thereon-a pair; of surfaces for: engaging the ,surfacesain theraperturetinxthe mova ble clamp; to :transmit :force, thereto: without. torting said movable clamp and a, plurality. ofxmemhers movably mounted onftheibase andi-inteircohnectedgwith 1 each other 'for. transmitting force ,th'I Qllgh'i thfliShafLIO the movable clampto breaka weld he'tweenzsaidsone article and said @another article, saidfirst; element havih'g portions thereon engagea-ble by portions oils-aid second 6. A Weld testing device, comprising a, clamp mounted on the base havingaja cylindrical recess for; receiving andlholdingione of aspluralitymf 7 articles welded together, a movable. clampimounted..-on the base having an aperture with a .c,ylindzically:oounter-,

bored portion 'for: and, holding. lanothe r lof ,said plurality of articles, said aperture :having azpair ofasurfaces in a plane Hex-tending diametrically" across said counterbored portion, a first shaft rotatablymounted "on the base and engagingthe fixed clampfltozpreuent movement thereof, a second shaft *mounteddnlhebase, 1a

gear secured to ;the 'secondgshaf't, r-a zthirdsshaftmounted:

on the base, a toothed membersecui'eda-to;ihesfliird shaft 7 and meshed with. the-gear :im .the second isha ft, said-toothed member havingsamecess therein, afinstzpl'ate secured; to the first shaft :and :havingjalprojection. positioned in-the recess 'inthe toothed'member whereby1tro tatifin of the oot memb r M t t eipl ejahdathel first shaft, a fourthnshaft mounted the base ,toextend into the, aperturein the movable clamp and having a Of surfaces in a plane diametrical thereto forengaging the surfaces in the aperture in the movable clamp to transmit force thereto withoutdistorting said movable clamp, a second plate secured to the fourth shaft and having a slot therein, a pin secured to the first plate and extending into the slot in the second plate whereby the fourth shaft is rotated a limited amount When the first shaft is rotated a limited amount, and means for applying a force to the second shaft whereby torque is transmitted through the interconnected gear, toothed member, first and second plates and the shafts to rotate said another article to break a weld between it and said one article.

7. A device for testing welds, comprising a base, a clamp movably mounted on the base and having an aperture for receiving a first of a pair of articles welded together, said clamp also having a first slot extending from the aperture to one edge of the clamp and a plurality of slots extending radially fromisaid aperture to render the clamp flexible, a fixed clamp resting on the movable clamp and having an opening for receiving the second of said pair of articles, said fixed clamp also having a slot intersecting the opening and a plurality of slots extending radially from said opening to render the fixed clamp flexible, a first element mounted on the fixed clamp for applying a force thereto to grip said second article in the opening in the fixed clamp, a second element mounted on the movable clamp for flexing said movable clamp to grip said second article in the aperture in said movable clamp, said first element being engageable by the second element for limiting relative movement between the clamps, a first shaft rotatably mounted on the base and engaging the fixed clamp to prevent movement thereof, a second shaft mounted on the base, a gear secured to the second shaft, a third shaft mounted on the base, a toothed member secured to the third shaft and meshed with the gear on the second shaft, said toothed member having -a recess therein, a first plate secured to the first shaft and having a projection positioned in the recess in the toothed memzber whereby limited rotation of the toothed member rotates the plate and the first shaft slightly, a fourth shaft mounted on the base and connected to the movable clamp, a second plate secured to the fourth shaft and having a slot therein, a pin secured to the first plate and extending into the slot in the References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,907,461 Sunde May 9, 1933 2,122,760 Scott et al. July 5, 1938 2,152,541 Galpin Mar. 28, 1939 2,279,698 Weckerly Apr. 14, 1942 2,558,005 Seiaky June 26, 1951 2,799,162 Carlson July 16, 1957 

